Although its popularity is often debated, there are many reasons why country music has been a beloved genre for a long time. Its lyrics often reflect the struggles and joys of everyday life, and its melodies are easy to sing along to. This is why country singers deserve the fame and fortune they receive.
Top 10 Wealthiest Country Singers:
1. Shania Twain – $400 Million
Shania Twain led the genre in the 1990s, but her songs still have a lot of replay value today. With 85 million international album sales, she is the best selling female country artist of all time.
At 13 years old, she became the vocalist for a band called Longshot. When she went solo, Shania steadily gained international fame and became a leading figure in country pop.
During her career, Twain won a World Music Award and five Grammy Awards. Her media appearances and successful music career have contributed to her impressive net worth of over $400 million.
2. Garth Brooks – $400 Million
Even with massive competition, Garth Brooks managed to dominate in his time. He sold 148 million albums in the United States, beating Elvis Presley and becoming the highest-selling solo album artist in America.
Brooks began performing in local clubs and gained fame when his albums topped the Billboard charts. He is known for his unique blend of country, pop, and rock music.
He is the only singer in history to have a total of seven records certified as Diamond. With his online music platform, GhostTunes, Garth’s net worth rose to $400 million.
3. Toby Keith – $365 Million
Toby Keith is one of the most consistent country singers on this list. Many of his albums are certified Gold or higher and have sold over 40 million records.
In the early days, he was a busker at the legendary Music Row. He had difficulties getting signed, but when he did, his debut single immediately went to number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.
Apart from music, he owns an apparel brand, TK Steelman, and a restaurant called I Love This Bar & Grill. As a result Keith’s wealth now stands at $365 million.
4. Dolly Parton – $350 Million
Dubbed the “Queen of Country,” Dolly Parton is a critically acclaimed singer who has bagged major music awards. Parton has sold more than 100 million records internationally.
After gaining notoriety as a songwriter for other artists, Dolly decided to launch her own music career. She, along with the Dolly Records label, became one of the most respected in the genre.
Dolly’s picked up many awards over the years, but her most notable ones are three American Music Awards (AMA) and 11 Grammys. She also runs multiple companies under The Dolly Company. Dolly Parton’s net worth is estimated to be $350 million.
5. George Strait – $300 Million
After the queen is the King of Country, George Strait. He started out in the 1970s and slowly climbed to the top. His worldwide record sales are over 100 million.
George popularized festival-style tours and created a 360-degree configuration. This led him to organize the biggest indoor concert in North America and earned $99 million in three years of touring.
He has one Grammy and 13 multi-platinum records. The Vaqueros Del Mar golf and music event series was also co-founded by him. Strait’s personal wealth is estimated to be around $300 million.
6. Kenny Chesney – $180 Million
Kenny Chesney and his guitar, The Terminator, have come a long way. He is among the most popular crossover country singers around, as he has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.
Chesney released various albums, but it was his singles that garnered a lot of attention and 32 of them reached the top of Billboard country charts.
He has 12 Country Music Association (CMA) awards under his belt. Kenny is also a big touring act. Much of his $180 million net worth is from his concerts that regularly sell out.
7. Faith Hill – $165 Million
Faith Hill had one of the fastest-growing careers in all of country music. Her first four albums accumulated considerable mainstream success, and she’s sold 40 million copies in total.
When she was 16 years old, she formed her own band and began performing at local shows. After being spotted by a recording firm, Faith went on a road to being a star.
Now, she has five Grammys, six AMA awards, and 15 Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards. The musician’s net worth also ascended to a respectable $165 million.
8. Tim McGraw – $160 Million
The soulmate of Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, is next on the list. He was considered one of the greats after prevailing in the 1990s and 2000s. Most of his 75 million record sales came from this era.
Although McGraw’s debut album flopped, it didn’t discourage the starving artist. The setback proved pivotal in his journey as his following projects were a hit.
He has three Grammys and ten AMA awards. He and Faith Hill made one of the highest-grossing country tours in Soul2Soul II. McGraw has a fortune close to his wife’s, with $160 million in the bank.
9. Alan Jackson – $150 Million
Alan Jackson’s music is easily recognizable for his signature style of combining country-pop with traditional honky-tonk. This unique blend helped him sell over 75 million records around the globe.
Jackson was the first musician to sign a deal with Arista Nashville. He had a slow start, but when he found his rhythm by formulating an uncommon sound, Alan never looked back.
For his efforts, he received two Grammys, 16 CMA awards, and 17 ACM awards. Jackson also earned stints with Ford and Cracker Barrel, which amount to a $150 million fortune.
10. Brad Paisley – $120 Million
Another country artist known for his consistency is Brad Paisley. All of his albums have Gold or higher certification, and he has sold more than 11 million copies.
Paisley has been a guitar player since he was eight years-old. His debut performance was on Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. The appearance introduced him to a big audience, which sent him to the mainstream.
He is a recipient of two AMA awards, three Grammys, 14 ACM awards, and 14 CMA awards. Many of these were achieved with the help of his band, The Drama Kings. Brad’s net worth sits at $120 million.
